About this role
Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator
Project Description: Jamaican farmers are looking to increase profitability while building agricultural resilience to common natural disasters. Will you lend a hand?
Two recent hurricanes, including last year’s Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, resulted in significant damage to the island and economic loss. Farmers regularly face prolonged droughts, water management and distribution challenges, market gluts, and issues with integrated pest management to name a few. Therefore, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)—a subsidiary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining—has identified a critical need for environmental adaption and resilience training at the local level. Additionally, many farmers begin traditional agricultural growing and selling practices after high school and do not pursue an advanced degree, resulting in a lack of business skills. Training in this area is essential for farming communities to enhance productivity, sustainability, and market compliance for long-term success.
As a Sustainable Agriculture Educator, you will collaborate with project partners to strengthen community resilience through the transfer of appropriate skills and technologies. Your collective goal is to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. Together, you will help farmers adopt practices that conserve soil and water, improve post-harvest handling, and enhance agribusiness skills, ultimately contributing to food security and economic stability in rural communities.
Required Skills: Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles). OR Bachelor's degree in any field. OR High school diploma or GED and 4 years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions: This position requires that Volunteers be prepared to serve in deep rural communities where infrastructure may be limited. Assignments are in rural, often mountainous areas, with varying standards of living. Volunteers must be comfortable with modest and reduced conveniences, particularly related to disruptions to electrical power and internet as well as access to running water. Markets or larger shopping areas are just a taxi ride away. Volunteers live with host families but can expect a private room in the family home or self-contained unit on the property.
Activities: Conduct personalized farm assessments, including mapping, soil testing, and documenting farm water management. Plan and facilitate engaging training sessions on agricultural and organizational development. Support the adoption of sustainable soil and water conservation techniques. Plan and facilitate workshops on agro-processing and post-harvest management practices. Provide basic agri-business training on topics, including market analyses, bookkeeping, and local resources such as Agricultural Linkages and Exchange (ALEX). Support regular organizational capacity assessments.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as agrotourism farm stays and after-school clubs.
Training: As a Sustainable Agriculture Educator, you will be trained on resource conservation techniques, including, land husbandry, integrated pest management and basic farm water management systems. Peace Corps Jamaica will teach you Jamaican Patwa to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources to continue your language learning during service.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to rural community where you will collaborate with a local farmers group and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority staff. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on agricultural best practices.
Job Highlights: Learn Jamaican Patwa from skilled Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators. Gain valuable, hands-on experience with sustainable farming practices at a grassroots level. Experience the beautiful Jamaican culture firsthand.